Finding the Right Major through a Career Assessment Packet

            It’s not a major pain…picking your major. A short stroll to Office of Career Services may help you make that decision. OCS offers career assessment packet to students unsure of their desired major or career path. The assessment includes a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and values worksheet, both designed to analyze individual preferences. The assessment also involves an online evaluation called Strong Interest Inventory, which classifies activities, talents, and values.

            Although the assessment packet may not identify your perfect career, it can point you in the right direction. Senior bio-chemistry major Emma Lowman completed the assessment three years ago. “It gave me a good idea about what jobs relate to my personality, what jobs relate to my preference of work environment and the leadership levels within that environment,” she said.

            The assessment begins with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It determines your placement on four spectrums: extraversion/introversion, sensate/intuitive, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. The combination of these placements results in your personality type. The next step involves the values worksheet, which analyzes your ideal work environment. Finally, the Strong Interest Inventory compares your interests with professionals.

            Liz Bushnell, associate director of OCS, said an assessment serves as the first step in locating appropriate career paths. “It helps students to identify their skills, values, and personality and matches those with potential career fields,” Bushnell said. “The profile is not intended to narrow down your choices, […] instead it helps you to consider all the options that are out there.” Lowman added that assessments give students the opportunity to explore an array of different careers both in the humanities and sciences.

            The assessment highlighted the qualities of first-year Katrina Kardys. “In my profile it showed that I like being a leader and having responsibilities of things and that salary isn’t as important as I expected that it would be to me,” Kardys said. “It’s more about responsibility and leadership.” Knowledge gained from the assessment gave Kardys a keener understanding of her desired career.

            Bushnell explained researchers consider the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, and values worksheet to be “valid tools for career exploitation.” Students may complete assessments any time during their college career. While they help lowerclassmen investigate different professions, the assessments also expose upperclassmen to various branches of their careers.

            You may obtain and complete the three-part assessment packet at your convenience. 

Afterwards, you may schedule an appointment to review the materials. For more information, please contact Betty Butterbaugh at bjbutterbaugh@manchester.edu or ext. 5242.

Important Links:

List of Current Job Openings(Career Horizons Newsletter)

Job outlook for the class of 2007

Student Part-time Jobs

Job Search:

More Links:  About Career Services  Newsletters  Calendar of Events  Register with OCS